Representing the 1st District of New Mexico

Issues

Farming and ranching are integral aspects of New Mexico's economy, history and culture. Although agriculture represents one of our state's largest industries, farmers and ranchers face serious challenges, such as drought, wildfires and lack of services for rural communities. I'm proud to be the first New Mexican member of Congress to serve on the House Agriculture Committee.

The current campaign finance system in this country is broken and the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision has harmed the integrity of our democracy. More and more money is secret and subject to abuse by organizations, donors and the government itself.

As a mother of two and a proud graduate of the University of New Mexico, I understand the vital role education plays in creating a strong economy and preparing our children to compete in a competitive global market. It is so important that we make investments in our education system—especially early childhood education, support and retain effective teachers, and give parents a greater role in their children’s education. Our state’s national laboratories and premier institutions of higher learning create many opportunities, but we need the right federal policies and investments to ensure that our schools, teachers, and children have the best opportunity to succeed.

New Mexico prides itself in its pristine land, natural beauty and world-class energy resources. As a twelfth generation New Mexican, my deep-rooted values in our state have taught me to appreciate our natural resources and protect our clean air, water and land.

As a caregiver for my mother, I know that improving long-term care is not only a health issue. It's an economic issue, it's a jobs issue, it's a dignity and quality of life issue. With a growing population that’s going to require long-term care, the investments we make now will be even more valuable in the future – through better-quality care, more affordable services, good-paying jobs and advancements in medical research. Solving the looming long-term care crisis is also a way to protect and strengthen the economic security of women and minorities, who often end up becoming caregivers for their families.

As the Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I have been working hard to achieve comprehensive reform that keeps families together, provides a tough but fair earned pathway to citizenship, enhances border security, grows the economy and is in line with our core American values.

My top priority is getting our economy moving and putting New Mexicans back to work. I support small businesses and entrepreneurial enterprises which are key components in our economy’s recovery. To that end, I am advocating for a viable economy with corporate citizens that provide good paying jobs and set the path for a prosperous economic future.

As a member of the House Equality Caucus, I strongly supported the Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which once and for all legalized same-sex marriage and held that the right to marry is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment of the U.S.

I've spent my entire career fighting for New Mexico's seniors. As the Director of the New Mexico State Agency on Aging and then as Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Aging and Long-Term Services, I worked to protect seniors from scam artists, helped seniors remain in their homes, and addressed poor quality care in nursing homes, even going undercover to investigate reports of patient abuse and neglect. I also expanded critical services for seniors and fought for new programs to address end-of-life care issues and provide legal services to seniors throughout New Mexico. As a member of Congress, I’ve worked to preserve and strengthen federal programs that support seniors’ health and financial well-being and to provide additional support for seniors who need long-term supports and services and their caregivers.

When our nation’s service members take the oath to protect and defend the United States, they were not the only ones making a promise. We as Americans also take an oath to ensure that when they return home we provide them the support and resources they and their families need. New Mexico is home to a large number of veterans, and we have a solemn responsibility make sure that we're standing u

As a mother of two women and the grandmother of a little girl, I recognize the importance of girl’s and women’s safety, health, and economic security in creating strong, vibrant communities. I am a proud member of the bipartisan Women’s Caucus, where I work with other members of the House to improve the lives of women and families.